Pipefitter in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Indiana employs 11,280 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $76,320 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Pipefitters Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $76,320 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,890
Experienced (75th percentile): $96,760
Top earners (90th percentile): $102,520
Employed in Indiana: 11,280
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for pipefitters in major Indiana markets:

Terre Haute: $90,250 (420 employed)
Fort Wayne: $77,110 (1,160 employed)
Indianapolis: $76,980 (4,010 employed)
South Bend: $74,190 (490 employed)
Evansville: $73,190 (560 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana

Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $76,320 median stretches to roughly $81,801 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)

Indiana is projected to grow pipefitters employment +5.3%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,100 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

UA Journeyman Pipefitter credential (no state license required) — regulated by the No Indiana state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential).

Indiana does not require an individual pipefitter state license. The standard path is a UA apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering industrial piping systems, rigging, welding, and process systems.
Complete UA apprenticeship training in pipe fabrication, steam systems, process piping (ASME B31.3), and OSHA 30 safety.
Apply through UA Local 440 (Indianapolis), UA Local 136 (refrigeration/pipefitting Indianapolis), or UA Local 101 (South Bend) for apprenticeship. Pharmaceutical manufacturers (Eli Lilly), steel industry utility systems, power plants, and automotive manufacturing plant utilities are major pipefitter employers.

Official requirements: No Indiana state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential) →

Training in Indiana

Eli Lilly's Indianapolis campus is a major GMP pharmaceutical pipefitting employer. Steel industry utilities in northwest Indiana (Gary/Hammond/East Chicago area) create industrial pipefitter demand. Indiana's automotive plants also require pipefitter maintenance for compressed air, coolant, and utility systems. UA Local 440 covers the fast-growing Indianapolis market.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:

Ivy Tech Community College — Certificate / Associate
Vincennes University — Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want strong union wages and enjoy precision mechanical work in industrial or commercial settings.

Think twice if: Industrial job sites, confined spaces, and working with high-pressure systems sound dangerous rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.

First Steps

Contact UA (United Association) Local pipefitter apprenticeship programs in your area — separate from plumber apprenticeships.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do pipefitters make in Indiana?

The median wage for pipefitters in Indiana is $76,320 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,890, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $102,520. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Pipefitter in Indiana?

UA Journeyman Pipefitter credential (no state license required), overseen by the No Indiana state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential). Indiana does not require an individual pipefitter state license. The standard path is a UA apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering industrial piping systems, rigging, welding, and process systems.

Is being a Pipefitter a good career in Indiana?

Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.

Which Indiana metros pay pipefitters the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, Terre Haute leads at $90,250, followed by Fort Wayne ($77,110), Indianapolis ($76,980). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Pipefitter in Indiana?

Real Indiana options include Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Pipefitter a growing career in Indiana?

Indiana projects pipefitters employment to change +5.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,100 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No Indiana state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Indiana wages · Indiana licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.